Hello my lovely patient readers! ^-^' SOOOOOO sorry for the wait…. I realize that I am horrible at keeping promises. But please bear with me! I promise, you can blame it on my stack of homework my professor's give me! Please don't hurt me! Anyways, on with the story! XD

Chapter 3

As the pair walked into Ikuto's apartment, Amu couldn't help but gasp. The place was so organized! It had a unique charm about it, but what really piqued Amu's interest was the beautiful violin in the corner of the room. Figuring she could roam the apartment while Ikuto was busy making tea, she decided to check out the instrument.

As she was about to run her fingers over the smooth, glossy wood, she was pulled back into reality as she heard Ikuto clear his throat.

"Having fun there Amu?" Ikuto said in a sarcastic tone.

Amu whipped her head around to see the male a few feet away from her smirking, holding out a cup of tea to her.

"I'm sorry… I just saw it, and… well, it's really….pretty." Amu muttered shyly, looking away from Ikuto.

"Its fine, it's just that not many people take notice of it. I mean, I don't expect them to, after all it's over here in the corner." Ikuto replied nonchalantly.

"Oh, is that so… well I think it's a nice addition to your home." Amu smiled. Something she hasn't done in a long time. A very long time. So long that she didn't think she would ever be able to even lift the corners of her mouth.

"Thanks, it means a lot, really." Ikuto said with a soft smile.

After that Amu and Ikuto sat down and sipped their tea, sharing small talk every now and then. Afterwards, Ikuto set up a guest room for Amu, figuring that she probably didn't have a place to stay, and decided that it would be safer for her to stay there anyway.

-Small time skip-

The sky was dark, and she could hear her sister screaming for her. She struggled against her restraints helplessly, sobbing and screaming for them to stop the abuse. She could hear her step-father's footsteps come closer to her room. All of a sudden she was yanked up into a sitting position by her hair, practically feeling the waves of pain wash over her.

"Shut up bitch, I'll do what I want when I want! So you better not tell me to do something again unless you want a new punishment~" He mockingly cooed at her, reeking of the alcohol he constantly drank. Amu began to shake in fear remembering her past abuse from her step-father, how he had sexually assaulted her.

"Now, are you going to be a good girl~?"

Amu shot up from the bed, shaking and whimpering. She was a sweaty mess. Promptly a knock was heard on the bedroom door. Amu shakily got up on her feet, stumbling along until she go to the door. Opening the door revealed Ikuto (no, some random stranger lol, sorry continue on XD) with a concerned look on his face.

"Amu, are you okay? I heard screaming, di you have a nightmare or something?" Ikuto murmured softly, not wanting to frighten the distressed bubble-gum haired woman.

In a moment, Amu had her arms wrapped around Ikuto, hugging him with all the strength she could muster. She then began to sob into his shirt, as he stood there comforting her as much as he could. After a while, Amu's sobs died down, and she looked up, completely exhausted.

"Amu, I think you should come sleep with me for tonight, alright?" Ikuto whispered to her gently.

Too tired to argue she numbly nodded her head as she was scooped up and brought to bed where two strong arms wrapped her into a gently yet secure embrace. As Amu's breathing became shallow, Ikuto thought to himself.

"Who would do something like this to an innocent soul like her?" Was Ikuto's last thought as he soon drifted into sleep as well.